Fayette County Genealogy Project
Henderson
Contributor Keely Deuschle
Biography Portrait of Fayette Co., PA
HENDERSON (p. 639)
This family was founded in Pennsylvania by Stewart Henderson, born in
Ireland, who settled in Erie county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1831. He
married and left issue.
(II) Isaac, son of Stewart Henderson, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania,
the first American born child of his parents. He died in Fayette county,
Pennsylvania, in 1850, being the first of his family to settle in that
county. He settled near Upper Middletown, where he engaged in farming until
his death in 1903. He married Mary Dunlop, who died in 1880. Of their eight
children five grew to adult years.
(III) Stewart (2), son of Isaac Henderson, was born in Franklin township,
Fayette county, Pennsylvania. He attended the public schools, grew to
manhood on the farm, and after his marriage became a farmer on his own
account, following that occupation all his active years, and in 1906 retired
from active farming operations and has since resided in Uniontown. He is a
member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics a Republican. He married
Harriet Woodward, born in Dunbar township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania.
Children: Davis W., of whom further; Isaac, living in Uniontown; Mary,
living in Uniontown; an infant deceased.
(IV) Davis W., eldest child of Stewart (2) Henderson, was born in Franklin
township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1875. He received his
early education in the public school, and grew up on the home farm. At the
age of sixteen years he entered the State Normal School at California,
Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated in class of 1894. He taught school one
year after his graduation, then entered Waynesburg College, where he was
graduated A. B., class of 1897. He taught again for one year in Jefferson
township, Fayette county, then carried into effect a long cherished
ambition, the study of law. In September 1898, he registered as a law
student with David M. Hertzog, an eminent lawyer of Uniontown, continuing
study under his perceptorship until admission to Fayette county bar,
December 4, 1900. He established in practice in Uniontown, where he yet
continues. He has been admitted to all state and federal courts and ranks as
a successful and skillful practitioner and a safe counselor. He is a
Republican in politics and is active in party management of local affairs.
He was chairman of the county committee in 1902-03, assistant district
attorney, 1905-07, and in November, 1907, was elected district attorney,
serving most efficiently in that office four years. He is a member of the
Masonic order, holding the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite. He also is a
member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 370, of
Uniontown, Pennsylvania. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian, belonging
to the First Church of Uniontown, and is an active worker in the Sunday
school.
He married, January 24, 1903, Clelia W. Knox, born in Mount Pleasant,
Pennsylvania, daughter of John and Carrie (Shupe) Knox. John Knox is now
deceased. His widow married (second) Martin A. Kiefer, now (1912) sheriff of
Fayette county. Children of Davis W. Henderson: Davis Knox, born April 27,
1906; Mary Clelia, born March 27, 1910, died April 11, 1910; Caroline
Harriet, born July 18, 1911.
Source:
Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Under the Editorial Supervision of John W. Jordan, LL.D. Librarian of
Pennsylvania Historical Society, Philadelphia AND
James Hadden of Uniontown, Pennsylvania; author of “Washington and
Braddock’s Expeditions Through Fayette County,” and the reproductions of
Judge James Veech’s work entitled “The Monongahela of Old, or Historical
Sketches of Southwestern Pennsylvania to the Year 1800.”
New York, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1912, Three Volumes
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